Dictionary of Old English (DOE)The Dictionary of Old English (DOE) defines the vocabulary of the first centuries (600-1150 A.D.) of the English language.
Middle English DictionaryThe print MED, completed in 2001, has been described as "the greatest achievement in medieval scholarship in America." Its 15,000 pages offer a comprehensive analysis of lexicon and usage for the period 1100-1500, based on the analysis of a collection of over three million citation slips, the largest collection of this kind available.
Oxford English Dictionary (OED)Traces the usage of words through 2.5 million quotations from a wide range of international English language sources.
Oxford English Dictionary (in print)A 20 volume set, located in the Reference collection, the Oxford English Dictionary is the ultimate authority on the usage and meaning of English words and phrases, and a fascinating guide to the evolution of our language. It traces the usage, meaning and history of words from 1150 AD to the present day. No dictionary of any language approaches the OED in thoroughness, authority, and wealth of linguistic information. The OED defines over half a million words, and includes almost 2.4 million illustrative quotations, providing an invaluable record of English throughout the centuries. (1989)
English language dictionaries in print are found at PE1620 - PE1693. Recent editions are for library use only, and are found in the Reference collection. Older editions may be borrowed, these are found in McPherson Library stacks (third floor).